Anyone have any experience hunting public land within a county or so of Orlando that has some osceolas turkeys on it. Don't need specifics unless somebody wants too.

Yes

Kinda what I figured lol

let me rephrase my question and MAYBE somebody will throw me a bone. Does anyone know of public land close to Orlando that has turkeys and would be willing to give me some pointers. don't want specific locations just something that would at least give me a chance if I was to go down there for a week cold turkey.

Bull Creek and 3 lakes...roost over water

gracias

Tosohatchee ive hunted the border of this land on some private and killed them.
Seminole Ranch is good also. If you've got a boat you can float the St. John's and listen for gobbles and hunt up to the high water line, or piddle a little

And you'll need to apply and get drawn for tags. Most places down there you get like 2 weekends

Tyler when ya going? Been wanting to make that trip myself but ive heard of all the difficulties in hunting down there

Wife is trying to talk me into going back to Disney for the 3rd year in a row next year and I told her the only way I was going back was during turkey season and she said deal. So looking into trying to go next year

kicking around the idea of doing a outfitted hunt. Don't really want to go hunt with a guide though. Havent dug deep enough to find somewhere that will let you hunt on your own. I am sure they are out there. But man they are proud of those turkeys

piddling with a gun in Fl is a felony...

Supply and demand. There are only 80,000 to 100,000 Osceolas in Florida. Only 20% approximately males.

Public land hunting in Florida is tough. Most places are overrun. Many only let in so many people , so you go through a entrance and only say 300 folks get in. People will park all night in their cars in line on the opener, or they used to.

Your odds of success on a large public land un regulated hunt is pretty slim. Though we have had success on 2 big places, it was more luck then anything else there. Right place/right time.


To get a good hunt youd need to do a special opportunity hunt, or quota hunt.
They only let in 10 -20 hunters or so at each place and only have 2 -3 hunts each season where they do that.
You have to apply in a lottery, and NOW they only pick a small percentage of Out Of State hunters for each. 10% or so. Also it costs to apply and then you have to pay more if youre drawn.

http://myfwc.com/license/limited-entry-hunts/general-info/special-opportunity/

http://myfwc.com/license/limited-entry-hunts/

My best advice is to pony up on an outfitted hunt for dates when you are there. Most definitely will not let you hunt unguided but there are some that do.

Heres one . This one is near Ormond Beach, Fl.

http://turkeytrekoutfitters.com/index.html

My wife loved staying at the beach with my son while we hunted. We would sometimes go that route for 3 days and nights while I hunted. Its around 1 hr 20 minutes from Orlando/ Disney.

We also rented houses in Kissimee/St Cloud area for them to go to Disney etc while I guided turkey hunts on some big ranches near there.

We used to rent real nice vacation houses with private pools and a lanai like these for around $125 per night:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRent...gs_Florida.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRent...do_Florida.html

Id try to combine a few days in Kissimee and Disney etc, with a few days at the beach and turkey hunting. A full week with all that Fl has to offer...Disney/orlando, the beach, turkey hunting and maybe a hog hunt while there.

That way everyone will be happy. Ive found most wifes dont turn down 3 days at the beach.

Hope that helps

You aint kidding Troy. Ive seen folks crying like babies after they found out and the Wardens were cuffing and stuffing them.

Armed trespass in Florida: A 3rd degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years in Florida State Prison and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

5 years in a Florida prison and $5000 fine? Thats one expensive Osceola.

Better just pony up. And the people we caught..were doing just that..Jon boating in and pushing their luck. Didnt work out well!

My step-dad and I hunted some public land down there back around 2000-2001. It was just outside Ormond Beach. Seems like it was the Brake WMA? From what I understand, the year we were there was going to be the last season it was going to be open. Anyway, OutdoorObsession's description is spot on. We waited in line, to get in and that place was PACKED! We each ended up killing a bird the morning of opening day, but I seriously think all the other hunters drove them to us as much as they were called in.

appreciate the info Outdoorobession that answered a lot of questions.

my pleasure. If you look on the internet under semi guided Osceola hunts at a fair price.

Dont be afraid to negotiate on price especially as you dont need their lodging and food.

Good luck!

ODO